Water Column Characterization of Selected Metals Associated with Crude Oil as a Tracer for Plume Movement from the Deepwater Horizon Site

Implementing Organization

Louisiana State University

Overview

DWH Project Funding

$39,768

Known Leveraged Funding

$0

Funding Organization

Gulf of Mexico Research Initiative (GoMRI)

Funding Program

Gulf of Mexico Research Initiative GoMRI Grant Program

Details

Project Category

Science

Project Actions

Physical Aspects Research

Targeted Resources

Human and/or Institutional Capacity

Project Description

Crude oil is elevated in one or more metallic elements that may be used as a tracer for following the movement of oil as it disperses from a spill site. In particular, vanadium is an element found in substantially elevated concentrations in many crude oil sources relative to levels found in uncontaminated soils, sediment-water systems, and seawater. Nickel is another element found elevated in most crude oils (Andrade, Covelo, Vega, and Marcet, 2004, Journal of Environmental Quality 33:2103-2110; Sasaki, Maki, Ishihara, and Harayama, 1998.

Contact

Robert Gambrell
225-578-6426
gambrell@lsu.edu
Project Website

Project Partners

None

Affiliated Institutions

None